143 



SPANISH OAK. 

 Quercus falcata, Michaux. 



FOBH — A medium-sized tree usually atUlnlug a height of 70-80 ft. with a diameter of 

 2-3 ft. but which may reach a maximum height of 120 ft. with a diameter of 4J feet. Crown 

 open, broad, round-topped, rather deep. 



BARK — On old trunks divided by shallow fissures which separate low, brown, acaly ridges. 

 On young parts thin, smootb, dark reddish-brown to gray and rich in tannic acid. 



TWIGS — Stout, at first covered with rusty hairs, later almost smooth and reddish-brown 

 to ashy-gray. 



BUDS — Alternate, ovoid, sharp-pointed, i of an inch long, bright chestnut-brown, hairy. 



LEAVES — Alternate, simple. 6-7 inches long, 4-5 inches broad, ovate In outline, 3-7 lobed; 

 lobes bristle-pointed and separated by broad variable sinuses. They are dark green and shining 

 above, covered with grayish down beneath. The leaves are very variable In outline. 



LEAF-SCARS — See "Leaf-Scars" under White Oak. page 132. 



FLOWERS — Flowers appear In April or May when the leaves are about i developed. Staml- 

 nate flowrrs are borne in slender hairy aments about 3-5 Inches long. Pistillate on stout hairy 

 stalks and terminated by rather short, divergent, dark red styles. 



FRUIT — An acorn, maturing at the end of the second season; short-stalked. Nut ovoid to glo- 

 bose, rounded at apes, about I of an inch long, pale orange-brown, enclosed only at base for 

 I length. Cup hemispheric, 1-3 of an inch across, covered by thin reddish scales which are 

 pale pubescent especially on the margins. 



WOOD — Ring-porous; with conspicuous medullary rays; hard, strong, not durable, with 

 light red heartwood, lighter sapwood. It warps and checks badly. Weighs 43.17 Iba. per cubic 

 foot. Largely used for fuel and also used in construction. Bark Is rich in tannin. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS — The Spanish Oak bears leaves which resemble those 

 of the Scrub Oak, only that the lobes of the latter are usually short and triangular while those 

 of the former are mostly long and lanceolate. The Scrub Oak attains the height of a small tree 

 only, while the Spanish Oak may reach a height of 100 feet. It can be distinguished from 

 the other closely related members of the Black Oak group In this State by its white or 

 grayish-tomentose coating on the lower leaf surface. 



RANGE — New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania to Missouri, south to Florida and 

 Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA — Reported only from the southeastern and southern 

 parts of the State. 



HABITAT — It is usually found on dry gravelly or sandy soil. In the South it Ja common 

 between the coastal plain and the Appalachian mountains. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — Since the natural distribution in this State is limited 

 to a few local places in the southeastern and southern parts and on account of its inferior 

 wood, it cannot be recommended for forestry purposes. Other more valuable species should 

 be prorogated in its stead. It Is rather attractive as an ornamental tree and its bark 

 also is rich in tannin. 



